Researchers from Simon Fraser University and the University of Sussex have uncovered a surprising trend: people are as hesitant to reach out to old friends as they are to start a conversation with a stranger. Despite the clear benefits of social connections, many individuals refrain from rekindling past relationships, even when they have the desire and means to do so. This study, published in Communications Psychology, sheds light on the psychological barriers preventing people from reconnecting. Extensive scientific literature has demonstrated that people with robust social networks report hi…